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April 11, 1950 R. A. CHRISTIAN Filed July 21, 1944 FIG.|

l7 Sheets-Sheet 1 TOTALIZER ENGAGING RAYMOND A. CHE/$7 BY gal/vb M Hl$ ATTQRNEY Ap 1950 R. A. CHRISTIAN 2,503,865

DIFFERENTIAL SETTING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES l7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 21, 1944 Q ENE /ME 2.

H I IIIIIII RAYMOND 4. CHRIS TIA/V Hi8 ATTORNEY April 11, 1950 R. A. CHRlSTiAN 2,503,865

DIFFERENTIAL SETTING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Filed July 21, 1944 l7 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V E N TO R RAYMOND 4. CHRIS T/AN BYMW ms ATTORNEY April 1950 R. A. CHRISTIAN 2,503,365

DIFFERENTIAL SETTING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Filed July 21, 1944 17 Sheets-Sheet 4 288 FIG.|O .80 23 L I Z Y I89 we I88 I92 5 233 F i-um 1 ml I I I JTILI- I ll ml-ll i I I I I A I. II H l 1* 80 All H H [I II I] II [III II II III FIG.

INVENTOR RAYMOND A. CHRIST/AN HIS ATTORNEY 0m 2 mm m 3 T N am NT R "w 5 wan m 8 a my 3 NM M 3 m 0 s s W s .v. N my 4 H m nu. W m .m no v9 w m w w 0 F Y 1 N M G o m 2 Q1 m m R P m w Q WMMSQ R m H c w m G R m T T E S m I T N m E F F I D April 11, 1950 Filed July 21, 1944 April 1950 R. A. CHRISTIAN 2,503,865

ISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES DIFFERENTIAL SETTING MECI-LAN l7 SheetsSheet 6 Filed July 21, 1944 INVENTOR RA YMOND A. CHRIST/AN HIS ATTORNEY April 1950 I R. A. CHRISTIAN 2,503,865

DIFFERENTIAL SETTING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Filed July 21, 1944 17 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR RA YMO/VD A. CHRIS TIA N HIS ATTORNEY R. A. CHRISTIAN April 11, 1950 DIFFERENTIAL SETTING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Filed July 21, 1944 1'7 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR RAYMOND A. GHR/ST/A/V Hi8 ATTORNEY IN V E NTOR RA YMO/VD A4 CHRISTIAN HES ATTORNEY l7 Sheets-Sheet 9 R A. CHRISTIAN DIFFERENTIAL SETTING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES April 11, 1950 Filed July 21, 1944 FIG. 3|

April 11, 1950 R. A. CHRISTIAN 2,503,855

DIFFERENTIAL SETTINGMECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Filed July 21, 1944 17 Sheets-Sheet 10 IN V E NTOR RA YMOND 4. CHRIS TIA N HIS ATTORNEY April 1950 R. A. CHRISTIAN 2,503,365

DIFFERENTIAL SETTING KECHANISI FOR PRINTING MACHINES l'TSheets-Sheet 11 Filed July 21, 1944 E N 2 v3 2.2. $.28.

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INV E NTO R 4 RA YMOND A. CHRISTIAN HIS ATTORNEY April 1950 R. A. CHRISTIAN 2,503,365

DIFFERENTIAL SETTING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES l7 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed July 21, 1944 R \\\\\\\\\\\\\\w\\\\\\\\\\ Y u Y\ mm 13 g nun 2. So no 2. m \m V n c 4 0 Q? w 0:. 0 $1 $2 -21 m A 02 R HIS ATTORNEY April 1950 R. A. CHRISTIAN 2,503,865

DIFFERENTIAL SETTING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Filed July 21, 1944 1'7 Sheets-Sheet 13 INVENTOR RAYMOND A. CHRISTIAN HIS ATTORNEY Ap 1950 R. A. CHRISTIAN 2,503,865

DIFFERENTIAL SETTING MECHANIS FOR PRINTING HACHINES Filed July 21, 1944 17 Sheets-Sheet 14 v INVE NTOR RAYMOND A. CHRIST/4N BY M HIS ATTORNEY R. A. CHRISTIAN April 11, 1950 DIFFERENTIAL SETTING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES l7 Sheets-Sheet 15 Filed July 21. 1944 FIG.47

INVENTGR RAYMOND A. 5HRI$TIA1N HIS ATTORNEY April 1950 R. A. CHRISTIAN 2,503,365

DIFFERENTIAL SETTING HECHANISII' FOR PRINTING MACHINES Filed July 21, 1944 17 Sheets-Sheet 16 INVENTOR 675 RAYMOND A. CHRISTIAN BY I ww ms ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 11, 1950 DIFFERENTIAL SETTING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Raymond A. Christian, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The National Cash Register Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Maryland Application July 21, 1944, Serial No. 545,952

31 Claims. 1

The following invention is directed to cash registers, accounting machines, and the like, and is particularly directed to improvements in the differential mechanism of such machines.

One object of the present invention is the provision of an improved differential mechanism for cash registers and accounting machines.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a so-called flat differential mechanism for use in cashregisters and accounting machines.

Still another object is the provision of an inline differential mechanism for use in connection with a flat keyboard.

Still another object is to provide a reciprocable differential mechanism which, through the medium of a disengageable latch mechanism, is positively driven in both positioning and return directions.

Still another object is the provision of a novel zero elimination mechanism which is incorporated in the differential mechanism rather than in the printing mechanism.

A further object is to provide animproved mechanism for controlling the printing of zeros, said mechanism being an integral part of the differential mechanism rather than a part of the printing mechanism.

Another object is to supply a novel in-line or linear differential mechanism for use in connection with a flat keyboard, said differential mechanism being of the minimum-movement type and .having mechanism incorporated therein for controlling the printing of the zeros.

A'nother object -is to provide a novel mechanism for transferring tens digits from lower to higher denominations in adding operations and from higher to lower denominations in subtracting operations, said mechanism being incorporated in the totalizer mechanism.

A further object is to provide an improved type of linear differential mechanism which is adaptable for use in connection with split key banks where part of the keys are used for one purpose and part for another purpose.

' A further object is the provision of various control mechanisms for insuring proper operation of the machine.

With these and incidental objects in view, the invention includes certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, the essenreference to the drawings which accompany and.

form a part of this specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of the keyboard.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken just to the right of one of the amount banks and showing in particular the differential mechanism associated therewith.

Fig. 3 is a detail view of the zero latch mechanism associated with the amount bank shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of a part of the zero elimination mechanism for the amount bank shown in Fig. 2. I

Fig. 5 is a detail view of the differential drive plate and the corresponding latch slide for one of the amount banks.

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the beam mechanism for one of the amount differentials for controlling the positioning of the corresponding printing and/or indicating mechanism.

Fig. '7 is a detail view of the key stop mechanism for one of the amount differentials and the totalizer acutator associated therewith.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of the beam operating mechanism for one of the amount differentials.

Fig. 9 is a detail view of a part of the mechanism for controlling the selection of certain 'of the grbup totalizers.

zero elimination mechanism for several of the amount banks.

Fig. 13 is a detail view of the mechanism for controlling the printing of zeros in the highest order amount bank.

Fig. .14 is a detail view of the mechanism for driving the differential mechanism for the group totalizer selecting and control keys and for driving the differential mechanism for the balance totalizer control keys.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the driving mechanism for the amount and control differential mechanisms.

Fig. 16 is a detail view of the driving mechanism for the amount differential mechanisms.

Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of one of the amount banks and the key stop slide associated therewith.

Fig. 18 is a top plan view showing the arrangement of the key stems of one of the amount banks and the arrangement of the corresponding projections on the key stop slide associated therewith.

Fig. 19 is a detail view of a part of the transfer mechanism for one order of the balance totalizer. I

Fig. 20 is a right side elevation of the group totalizer line showing the transfer mechanism associated with one denominational order thereof.

Fig, 21 is a detail view of the drum-type selecting cam for the group totalizer line.

Fig. 22 is afr ight side elevation of a part of the mechanism for shifting the group totalizer line to engage and disengage the sets of totalizer wheels thereon and the amount actuators.

Fig. 23 is a right side elevation of one denominational order of the group totalizer line, showing said line in disengaged position and showing the transfer mechanism therefor in add! ing position.

Fig. 24 is a right side elevation of one denominational order of the group totalizer line, showing one set of totalizer wheels engaged with the amount actuators and the transfer mechanism in tripped position.

Fig. 25 is a right side elevation showing the group totalizer line partially disengaged and showing the detent for the transfer operating segment disengaged.

Fig. 26 shows the selected set of wheels on the group totalizer line disengaged from the actuators and shows the ,transfer operating segment in operated position, after having advanced the next higher order Wheel one step to effect a tens transfer.

Fig. 27 is a right side elevation of the group totalizer line, showing the mechanism for shifting the transfer mechanism from adding position to subtracting position and vice versa.

Fig. 28 is a detail view of the transfer mechanism for one denominational order of the group totalizer line, ShOWing said transfer mechanism in subtract position, i

Fig. 29 is a detail view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 28 in adding position.

Fig. 30 is a detail view of a art of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2'7, for shifting the transfer trip pawls from adding position to subtracting position and vice versa.

Fig. 31 is a fragmentary front elevation of the balance totalizer, showing in particular the fugitive 1 mechanism.

Fig. 32 is a detail view, as observed from the right, showing the highest order transfer mechanism for the balance totalizer.

Fig. 33 is a detail view showing the manner in which the positive and negative wheels of one denominational order of the balance totalizer are geared together for reverse rotation.

Fig. 34 is a fragmentary front elevation, partially sectioned, showing the differential mechanisms for the group totalizer and the balance totalizer, a portion of the group totalizer line, and a part of the operating and controlling mechanism associated therewith.

Fig. 35 is a. right side elevation of the keyboard portion of the machine, showing the selecting and control keys for the group totalizer line and the differential and controlling mechanisms associated therewith.

Fig. 36 is a detail view of a portion of the engaging and disengaging mechanism for the group totalizer line.

Fig. 37 is a facsimile of a fragmentary portion of a statement slip prepared on the machine of this invention.

Fig. 33 is a right side elevation of the machine, showing the control keys for the balance totalizer line and the difierential mechanism and printing mechanism associated therewith. Likewise the mechanisms for controlling the engaging and disengaging movements of the group and balance totalizer lines are shown here.

Fig. 39 is a detail view of a part of the key lock shaft releasing mechanism.

Fig. 40 is a detail view of the bank of selecting and control keys for the group totalizer line and a part of the mechanism associated therewith.

Fig. 41 is a right side elevation of the mechanism controlled by the four upper keys of the group totalizer bank for controlling the engaging and disengaging movement of the group totalizer line.

Fig. 42 is a cross-sectional view of the control bank for the'balance totalizer line, showing a part of the mechanism for controlling the engaging and disengaging movement of said totalizer line.

Fig. 43 is a detail view showing in particular the driving mechanism for the group totalizer differential mechanism.

Fig. 44 is a detail view of the beam mechanism for the group totalizer line.

Fig. 45 is a detail view of the printer positioning portion of the group totalizer differential mechanism.

Fig. 46 is a detail of the key stop mechanism for the group totalizer difierential mechanism.

Fig. 47 is a detail view of the add engaging mechanism.

Fig. 48 is a detail view of the sub-total engaging mechanism.

Fig. 49 is a detail view of the subtract and total engaging mechanism and the engaging control mechanism for the balance totalizer line.

Fig. 50 is a right side elevation of a portion of the zero latch throwout mechanism.

Fig. 51 is a top plan view of the zero latch throwout mechanism.

Fig. 52 is a time chart depicting graphically the timing of the various mechanisms of the machine embodying the present invention.

Fig. 53 is a detail view showing the transfer shifting mechanism in adding position.

Fig. 54 is a detail view showing the transfer mechanism in fully restored position.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Experience has taught that the fiat type of keyboard for accounting machines, such as that disclosed in the United States Patent No. 2,189,851, issued February 13, 1940, to Paul H. Williams et al., has certain advantages over the curved type of keyboard such as that used in the type of accounting machine disclosed in the United States Patent No. 1,747,397, issued February 18, 1930, to B. M. Shipley. Among the advantages of the flat type of keyboard over the curved type are its compactness, its adaptability to the touch system of operation, and its improved visibility.

One of the disadvantages of the type of machine embodying the flat keyboard in the past has been in the use of non-positively driven differential mechanisms therefor, said differential mechanisms as a rule being spring-driven in an initial or locating direction and positively driven in a return direction. Another disadvantage of the former machines having flat keyboards is position at the end of machine operation and in the succeeding operation is moved directly from its old position to its new position without hav ing to return to a neutral or home position.

The minimum movement type of differential mechanism is not necessary in accounting machines in which the printing mechanism is returned to a normal or home position near the end of each operation in order to render the printing line visible. However, in case it is desirable to use the machine as a cash register and provide it with mechanism for indicating amounts and other data, it is then essential to employ the minimum movement type of differential mechanism, so that the indicating mechanism will remain in set position at the end of machine operations.

The machine having the curved type of keyboard, such as that disclosed in the Shipley patent referred to above, is provided with a positive ly-operating type of rotary dilferential mecha-'.

nism embodying improvements in the latch mechanism which make the latch much easier to disengage and more positive in action, said improvements being disclosed in the United States Patent No. 2,176,561, issued October 17, 1939, to Everett H. Placke. I

In the present invention, the features of the rotary diflerential mechanism disclosed in the above-referred-to Placke patent have been incorporated in a linear type of reciprocating differential mechanism for use in connection with machines of the type disclosed in the above-referred-to Williams patent having fiat keyboards. In addition to the improvements in the diiferen tial mechanism, the present machine also embodies improvements in the totalizer selecting and engaging and disengaging mechanisms.

The present machine is provided with a plurality of denominational rows of amount banks, each of which contains nine amount keys numwith a shoulder formed on the lower edge of a differential drive plate also mounted for horizontal reciprocating movement. The differential drive plate has on its upper edge teeth which are engaged by the teeth of a drive gear secured on a square shaft in turn connected to an amount differential operatin cam, which drives the difierential drive plate first forwardly and then back to normal position each machine operation to actuate the corresponding amount differential mechanism.

Initial forward movement of the differential drive plate causes the shoulder thereon, in cooperation with the latch, to carry the latch slide forwardly in unison therewith, Likewise the stud carried by the latch, in cooperation with the angular slots in the actuator rack and the corresponding retaining plate, carries said rack and said retaining plate also forwardly in unison therewith. Forward movement of the actuator rack, through the gears connecting said rack to the key stop slide, shifts said slide rearwardly until the corresponding projection thereon contacts the lower end of the stem of the depressed amount key, which obstructs any further movement of the connected parts, including the actuator rack having the angular slot therein. Inasmuch as further forward movement of the actuator rack is obstructed, the angular slot therein, in cooperation with the stud in the latch, shifts said latch upwardly out of engagement with the shoulder on the diilerentiai drive plate while said plate continues the extent of its forward movement without interruption.. Disengagement of the latch, as explained above, positions the actuator rack in accordance with the value of the depressed amount key and simultaneously engages a'n aliner tooth on said latch with a corresponding notch in an alining plate to aline and retain the actuator mechanism in set position.

As explained previously, the actuator rack has on its lower edge teeth which are engageable by the teeth of the corresponding totalizer wheels bered from 1 to 9. In the present arrangement there is no zero key, the normal or home position of the amount differential mechanism for each amount bank being zero, in which it is retained by a zero latch mechanism when nokey is depressed in said amount bank.

Depression ofany one of the amount keys in any denominational row moves its lower end into 7 the path of a corresponding upward projection on a key stop slide mounted to reciprocate in parallel relationship to the lower ends of the amount keys. The key stop slide has on its lower edge teeth which mesh with a gear integral with another gear which meshes with rack teeth on the upper edge v of an amountjactuator rack mounted for horizontal reciprocating movement in relation to the wheels of the various totalizers. The amount actuator rack has therein an angular slot, through which extends a stud in a differential latch carried by a latch slide mounted for horizontal. reciprocating movement in exactly the same manner as the actuator rack. The stud in the latch also extends through an angular slot in a latch retaining plate which is mounted to reciprocate in unison with the actuator rack and.

is connected thereto by a spring which urges said plate and said rack in opposite directions, causing the scissors action of the angular slots therein to normally retain the latch in engagement of one or more of the plurality of totalizer lines with which the present machine is equipped. One of the chief advantages of the linear type of differential mechanism over the rotary type is thatthe actuator rack may be readily lengthened to accommodate any number of totalizer lines with which it is desired to equip the machine.

In adding operations, after the actuator rack has been positioned, as explained above, in relation to the depressed amount key, the corresponding wheel or wheels of the selected totalizer line or lines are engaged with said actuator rack, and, upon return rearward movement of the differential drive plate, the shoulder thereon moves beyond the differential latch, which immediately drops therebehind, and a square stud carried by said drive plate engages the rearward end of a slot in the actuator rack to positively return said rack and connected parts rearwardly to normal position. Rearward movement of the actuator rack causes the wheels of the selected totalizer 

